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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffMicrocephaly (my-kroh-SEF-uh-lee) is a rare neurological condition in which an infant's head is significantly smaller than the heads of other children of the same age and sex. Sometimes detected at birth, microcephaly usually is the result of the brain developing abnormally in the womb or not growing as it should after birth.
Microcephaly can be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Children with microcephaly often have developmental issues. Generally there's no treatment for microcephaly, but early intervention may help enhance your child's development and improve quality of life.
- NINDS microcephaly information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/microcephaly/microcephaly.htm. Accessed Feb. 4, 2010.
- Boom JA. Etiology and evaluation of microcephaly in infants. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 11, 2010.
- Tarrant A, et al. Microcephaly: A radiological review. Pediatric Radiology. 2009;39:722.
- Mochida GH. Genetics and biology of microcephaly and lissencephaly. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology. 2009;16:120.
- Mighell AS, et al. Post-natal investigations: Management and prognosis for fetuses with CNS anomalies identified in utero excluding neurosurgical problems. Prenatal Diagnosis. 2009;29:442.
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